Trotline holder and dispenser



June 15, 1954 J, WORK 2,680,929

TROTLINE HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Dec. 50, 1952 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Eye, 5%

INVENTOR. )0 H/\/ M VI OEK June 15, 1954 J. M. WORK 2,680,929

TROTLINE HOLDER AND DISPENSER Filed Dec. 30, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. J5 /v 44 W0 2 %-77Zmflmm 122mm ATTOE/VEYS Patented June 15 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to fishermens equipment, and more particularly to improvements in fishhook and trotline holders.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved holder for receiving and supporting a trotline and for holding the baited hooks of the trotline in spaced, protected posi tions preparatory for use, the improved trotline holder and dispenser being simple in construction, and being easy to set up so as to release the hooks retained therein for use of the trotline, and preventing tangling of the line.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved trotline holder and dispenser which involves inexpensive components, which is sturdy in construction, which is protected against rotting or deterioration of the elements of the trotline, which holds the trotline in a conveniently accessible position for rapid removal thereof, when required, and which is foldable to a compact, easily transported package.

Further objects tion will become apparent from the following deing drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an improved trotline holder and dispenser according to the present invention, shown in open position, and containing a typical trotline disposed so as to be removable from the container, when required.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the trotline holder and dispenser of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 with the supporting bars shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is an end elevational showing the trotline holder and dispenser in a folded position for transportation or storage.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail view of a portion of one of the mar- I5 on an axis I 2. Each hinge comprises the set of the hinges one end of the is located adjacent the opposite end of the holder and dispenser, as shown in Figure 1.

Longitudinally extending supporting bars 43 and 44 are secured to the members !3 and I4 adjacent the hinged connections I5, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, said bars 43 and 44 being substantially coextensive in length with the block members I 2 and serving to hold the intermediate portion of the trotline holder when said holdto retain the holder in the open position when said bar members 43 and 44 are resting on the edges of a boat.

Each of the longitudinally extending block members I 2 has a plurality of equally spaced V- shaped notches l9 at the outer top corners of the respective block member I2, as shown in Figure 3, and being adapted to receive and support difierent sized leader lines 20 of a trotline adjacent the hooks 2| thereof to support said hooks against the outer major faces of the block members I 2, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

Designated at 22 are the concave, longitudinally extending cover plates hinged to the block members l2 at the outer bottom corners of said block members, as shown at 23, whereby said cover plates may overlie and protect the hooks 2| disposed against the outer major surfaces of the block members. As shown in Figure 1, the cover plates 22 are formed of sheet material having the spaced outwardly pressed corrugations 24 disposed adjacent the respective notches i9 and providing clearance for baited hooks supported by the notches. The corrugations 24 also serve to rigidify the cover plates, whereby said cover plates may be formed from relatively light gauge sheet material, such as sheet metal or the like. Each cover plate is formed at its free edge with a rolled bead 25 adapted to abut against the outer top corner of its associated longitudinal block member l2 when the cover plate is in its closed position, such as shown in Figure 4. Designated at 21 is a rectangular body of flex1- ble sheet material, such as rubberized netting which is substantially coextensive in length with the block members I2, and which is secured at its longitudinal margins to the upper portions of the inner major faces of said longitudinal block members. As shown in Figure 3, when the device is in its open position, the rubberized netting 21 is spread out and serves to support the loops 28 of the trotline in a suitable position for the rapid dispensing of the line. For example, the loops of the trotline positions thereof shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Connecting the ends of the longitudinal block may be supported in the overlapping members l2 at their top edges are the flexible cable members 29 which serve to support the holder in its open position and to prevent the block members 12 from being swung outwardly beyond the positions thereof shown in Figure 3. As will be readily apparent from Figures 1 and 3, when the device is in its fully open position, with the hinged cover plates 22 opened, the trotline and its associated hooks 2! may be readily removed from the holder and dispensed therefrom.

When the trotline is to be transported or stored, the line is replaced in the holder, the staging elements engaged in their respective notches l9, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, and the device is folded to the position thereof in Figure 4 after the cover plates 22 have been rotated to their closed positions, illustrated in Figure 4. Designated at 3B are cords which are fastened at their ends, as by staples 3!, to the intermediate portions of the bottom edges of the block members l2, said cords being tied together, as shown at 32, to secure the folded trotline holder and dispenser in the position thereof shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, the cords overlie the cover plates 22, 22 and maintain said cover plates in their closed positions. When it is desired merely necessary to untie the cords 3d and open the trotline holder to the position shown in Figures 1,, 2 and 3, whereby access is readily had to the trotline for the removal thereof from the holder. 7

As shown in Figure l, the trotline, designated at 33, is secured to one end of one of the longitudinal block members 12, at 3%, so that the trotline cannot become accidentally detached from the trotline holder and dispenser H. A sufiicient length of line, shown at 35, is provided to insure that all of the hooks of the trotline will be submerged when the trotline is used.

As-will be further apparent from Figure 1, the end cords 29 are preferably secured in hems 38' provided at the transverse end margins of the sheet of netting 21 so that said cords serve not only to limit the outward swinging movement of the block members i2 but to support the transverse end margins of the netting.

While a specific embodiment of an improved trotline holder and dispenser has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A trotline holder comprising a pair of parallel elongated block members, means hingedly connecting the bottom longitudinal edges of said block members together for relative rotation of the block members around a common parallel to dispense the trotline, it is iii axis spaced equally from the block members, each block member having a plurality of notches at its longitudinal top edge providing a notched portion adapted to receive the staging lines of a trotline, and elongated longitudinally extending cover plates hinged to the bottom edges of said block members and adapted to overlie the outer faces of the block members and hooks which may be secured to the staging l nes when said staging lines are positioned inthe notches.

2. A trotline holder comprising a pair of parallel elongated block members, means hingedly connecting the bottom longitudinal edges of said block members together for relative rotation of the block members around a common parallel axis spaced equally from the block members, each block member having a plurality of notches at its longitudinal top edge providing a notched portion adapted to receive the staging lines of a trotline, longitudinally extending, elongated cover plates hinged to the bottom edges of said block members and adapted to overlie the, outer faces of the block members and hooks which may be secured to the staging lines when said staging lines are positioned in the notches, said block members being swingable to positions wherein their top edges are adjacent to each other, and a rectangular body of flexible sheet material substantially coextensive in length with said block members secured at its; longitudinal margins to the respective block members and being adapted to receive and substantially house the trotline.

3. A trotline holder comprising a pair of parallel elongated block members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced arms rigidly connected to the bottom edge of each block member, means hingedly connecting the ends of said arms; to each other on an axis parallel to and spaced equally from the block members, each block member having a plurality of V-shaped notches at its longitudinal top edge providing a notched portion adapted to receive and support difierent sized leader lines of a trotline, elongated, longitudinally extending cover plates hinged to the bottom edges of said block members and adapted to overlie the outer faces of the block member and hooks which may be secured to the staging lines when said staging lines are positioned in the notches, said block members being swingable to positions wherein their top edges are adjacent to each other, and a rectangular body of flexible foraminous sheet material substantially coextensive in length with said block members secured at its longitudinal margins to the block members and being adapted to receive and substantially house the trotline.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

